NSW Government Proposes Stringent Gun and Protest Laws Following Bondi Terror Attack
In response to the Bondi terror attack, the NSW government under Premier Minns has moved to implement new restrictions on guns and protests. The lower house approved the proposed laws, with the upper house scheduled to debate them next.
The gun reform package includes limits capping the number of firearms an individual can own to four for recreational hunters and ten for professional shooters and farmers. NSW currently has about 1.1 million guns held by 250,000 registered owners, some possessing more than 100 firearms. The reforms propose bans on multi-shot rifles and magazine belts, alongside a $300 million buy-back program. Additionally, licence renewals would be required every two years, and mandatory membership in a shooting association would be introduced.
Critics warn that mandatory club membership risks creating NRA-like lobbying bodies, and effectiveness will depend heavily on policing resources and intelligence capabilities. Notably, two alleged Bondi gunmen were part of the city-concentrated ownership group; one held a recreational hunter license, gun club membership, and owned six firearms.
Premier Minns stated that the measures aim to prevent a recurrence of the Bondi incident and that the government remains open to further evidence-based controls if needed.
Regarding protests, new laws would allow bans on protests for 14 days following a terrorism incident, extendable up to three months. There is no explicit requirement that protests be held in proximity to the incident to be banned. Civil liberties groups have warned that the protest ban is likely unconstitutional, with Greens and other critics arguing that the measures curb peaceful political speech. Although some protests concerning Gaza actions have been discussed in this context, none have been linked to the Bondi attackers.
Plans also include banning hate symbols and chants at rallies, with a parliamentary committee set to consider state-level bans to assist police. Examples under consideration include banning phrases such as "globalise the intifada." These bans would apply to protests on public roads but not gatherings in parks or events such as the Bondi paddle-out, with ongoing debate about the impact on other protest activities.
